Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Sister/Charge Nurse (Band 6 Secondment)

The closing date is 09 April 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Band 6 secondment (maternity cover) has opened up in our busy Outpatients department. We currently cover Outpatients across many specialties, including and not limited to

cardiology, respiratory, general surgery, gynaecology, Renal, Rheumatology, Bariatrics, Neurology, Oncology and Breast.

The Band 6 plays a vital role within the department in supporting both senior and junior colleagues. Quality patient care is essential and the Band 6 is always available to ensure this care is delivered. The Band 6 is expected to take part in clinics themselves as well as being a team leader for junior members of staff and undertaking HR aspects of the Band 6 role.

We have recently been Accredited and received "silver" for our department and are keen to continue this amazing work.

Please ensure you speak to your Line Manager before applying for this secondment opportunity and visit the Trust's Secondment Policy

Main duties of the job

Undertake a clinical and visible lead within the departments

rotate among all areas of the department, including some areas which are off site and a 10 minute walk away

Take part in clinics, where required

Lead a team of junior staff and participate in HR associated areas

Lead on training and development and share your knowledge with all team members

undertake rotas and clinic allocation

Support the Senior Sister and Head of Nursing with promoting transformation and quality patient care.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible role model who is keen to progress their nursing career within this busy Outpatients Department.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Details

Date posted

26 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-DTO4641-KA

Job locations

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

Luton

LU4 0DZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will have the responsibility of leading a team of staff, this will include return to work interviews, participating in interviews, assisting with junior staff support in the clinic setting and being a visible presence to all staff and patients.

please see detailed job description for more information

Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will have the responsibility of leading a team of staff, this will include return to work interviews, participating in interviews, assisting with junior staff support in the clinic setting and being a visible presence to all staff and patients.

please see detailed job description for more information

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current Registered Nurse with the NMC
  • Degree in Nurse related specialty or working towards
  • Mentorship / Practice Supervisor & Practice Assessor Preparation or teaching qualification or working towards
  • Able to evidence recent and continuing professional development relevant to the department

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrates awareness of current changes in the NHS - in particular related to Nursing
  • Post registration experience of working in an acute hospital setting
  • Surgical experience or speciality related
  • Experience of managing challenging situations to a positive outcome
  • Demonstrates success support of a ward/department manager
  • Evidence of teaching others
  • Has participated in clinical governance, research and audit
  • Experience of conducting appraisals and mentoring others

Desirable

  • Experience of managing a team and staff performance
  • Experience of managing staff capability, conduct and sickness absence at the early stages

Knowledge

Essential

  • Evidence of recruiting and inducting new staff
  • Has been involved in the management of change and complaints within the department

Communication Skills

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations

Desirable

  • Counselling or coaching skills
  • Knowledge of patient administration systems e.g. PAS
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current Registered Nurse with the NMC
  • Degree in Nurse related specialty or working towards
  • Mentorship / Practice Supervisor & Practice Assessor Preparation or teaching qualification or working towards
  • Able to evidence recent and continuing professional development relevant to the department

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrates awareness of current changes in the NHS - in particular related to Nursing
  • Post registration experience of working in an acute hospital setting
  • Surgical experience or speciality related
  • Experience of managing challenging situations to a positive outcome
  • Demonstrates success support of a ward/department manager
  • Evidence of teaching others
  • Has participated in clinical governance, research and audit
  • Experience of conducting appraisals and mentoring others

Desirable

  • Experience of managing a team and staff performance
  • Experience of managing staff capability, conduct and sickness absence at the early stages

Knowledge

Essential

  • Evidence of recruiting and inducting new staff
  • Has been involved in the management of change and complaints within the department

Communication Skills

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations

Desirable

  • Counselling or coaching skills
  • Knowledge of patient administration systems e.g. PAS

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

Luton

LU4 0DZ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

Luton

LU4 0DZ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Sister

Mrs Joanne Rowson

joanne.rowson@ldh.nhs.uk

01582497094

Details

Date posted

26 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-DTO4641-KA

Job locations

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

Luton

LU4 0DZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)